Curtain-stretcher.



PATENTED APRIZfi; 1903 J. F. KOEPP. J cur mm STRETGHER. APPLICATION FILED IBB. 17, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

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ATENT CU RTAIN-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Iietter's Patent N0. 726,703, dated April 28, 1903. Application filed February 17, 1903. Serial Na'143fl8'7. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern; 1

Be it known that I, JOHN F. KOEPP, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at New Kensington, in the county of Westlnoreland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Curtain-Stretohers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and members, for securing the same in the adjusted position, and for supporting the frame as a whole. Means is also provided on one or more of the inclined projecting members for tightening the flexible connection after the curtain has been affixed thereto.

In describing the invention indetail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views,in which Figurel is a detail perspective view of my improved curtain-stretcher in the set-up form. Fig. 2 is a detail plan view of a part of the preferred form of chain employed for securing the curtain. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a modified formof keeper for securing the inner ends of the inclined members or arms. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectionalview thereof.

To put my inventionfinto practice, I provide a reach-bar 1, on which is mounted for adj ustment thereon in two different positions, a pair of box-frames or keepers 2. These boxframes or keepers 2 may be provided with apertures to register with one or the other of the apertures 3 in the reach bar and through Means is pro-, vided for bracing these outwardly-extending which registering apertures is passed the pin 4 for securing the box-frames or keepers in the adjusted position, or these box-frames or keepers 2 may be provided with springpressed catches or dogs 5, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, said spring-pressed dogs or catches being provided with inturned ends 6 to engage the reach-bar 1, these ends being held normally in engagement by springs 7, mounted between the dogs or catches and the keepers, as seen injFig. 4. These box-frames or keepers are provided on opposite sides with outwardly-extending lugs or ears 8, in which is pivotally mounted the inner ends of the inclined arms 9. These arms extend outwardly at different angles from opposite sides of the reach-bar and are provided on one face, near their outer end, with catches 10 to receive the curtain-securing chaln 11. This curtain-securing chain is shown in detail in Fig. 2, a preferable form of construction embodying links, each alternate link being provided with a pin 12, with which the curtain is engaged. On one of the arms 9 I provide a hinged catch 14, having'a lip 15,

by means of which the catch may be pulled down into its closed position after the chain has been placedover the catches 10 and catch 14, the latter being raised during such operation. Afterithas been pulled down into position th'e'catch 14 is held by means of a hook 16 or other suitable fastening device. The arms 9 are pressed apart by brace-bars 17, mounted to slide on the reach-bar 1 and held in the desired position by the pin 18, passing through brace-bars and through the apertures in the reach-bar 1. These brace-bars 17 are provided with bifurcated ends 19 to receive the arms 9. The frame is supported in an upright position by a suitable supporting-leg 20, which may be attached to the reach-bar l at the center thereof in any desirable manner. Supporting-legs 21 are also'conn'ected to the two lowermost arms 9,at the lower end of these arms.

In practice, the curtain is attached to the chain and the chain placed over the-three catches 10 and over catch 14, and by drawing the catch 14 down into position the chain is made taut, so as to effectually stretch the curtain upon the chain. The size of the frame is readily adjustable to conform to the curtain by changing the position of the keepers on the reach-bar.

It will be noted that various changes may be made in the details of construction Without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a curtain-stretcher, a reach-bar, a pair of box-frames or keepers mounted for adjustment on said reach-bar, means for securing the box-frames or keepers in the adjusted position, lugs or ears carried by said box-frames, arms pivoted at their one ends in said lugs or keepers, catches carried by said arms at their outer ends, a chain engaging said catches and provided with pins to receive the curtain, brace-bars mounted on the reach-bar and engaging said arms, and supporting-legs for the frame, substantially as described.

2. In a curtain-stretching frame, a reachbar, a pair-of box-frames or keepers mounted thereon, arms pivoted at their inner ends to said b0x-frames 0r keepers, means for securing the box-frames or keepers in the desired position on the reach-bar, catches carried by the outer ends of said arms, one'of said catches being hinged, and brace-bars mounted on the reach-bar to engage said arms, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN F. KOEPP.

Witnesses CHAS. F. DERBAUM, R. H. BELLMAN. 

